The Ceredigion Herald

Antiques Fair Takes centre stage

Antiques Fair Takes centre stage

DERWEN FAIRS are about to launch their new summer Antiques Fair and Vintage Market at the National Botanic Garden of Wales.

It will be held over the weekend of July 1-2 at the prestigious National Botanic Gardens of Wales , which nestles into the Carmarthenshire countryside on the outskirts of Carmarthen and just 15 minutes away from the end of the M4 .

Organiser Brita Rogers, of Derwen Fairs, said: “The fair has proved to be a recipe for success, increasing in size to up to 100 stands and includes many more stands outside. Demand is high, so our Botanic Gardens series of fairs now includes this extra date in July, making four fairs for 2017. “

With up to 100 stands on display, the fair has become quite a spectacle since it began seven years ago. Showcasing a wonderful variety of quality antiques and collectables to suit all tastes and budgets, these popular fairs have a friendly and vibrant atmosphere. With buggies whizzing back and for , transporting the excited antiques enthusiasts from the Gate House up to the GlassHouse, the weekend of antiques is set to be a busy one. Many visitors just prefer to meander up the path and enjoy the delights of the garden.

Fans of collectables, curios and classic antiques should make their way to the various Botanic Garden venues – including the Lord Foster-designed Great Glasshouse – for displays of Welsh art and pottery, quality jewellery and outstanding militaria collections.

The reason for its success and appeal is the fairs unique setting. From furniture to fishing reels , most areas of collecting can be located here and then step next door and again within Principality House (the old servants’ quarters), you will discover good displays of quality antiques.

There is also a hidden gem tucked away beside the Millennium Courtyard, where again you will find a large range of country pine furniture, rare books, treen and Ewenny pottery and in the Theatr Botanica for quality Royal Worcester and Launa Bailey pottery .

The fair has also expanded into the Millennium Courtyard filling it with a Vintage Antiques Market. The Vintage market, houses smaller marquees showing off vintage toys, clothing and retro furniture plus numerous up cycled furniture and quirky items. This is a new and exciting addition to the established in side section of the fair.

Brita explained: “The fair will be showcasing Welsh areas of collecting including Welsh pottery, Welsh art and furniture. Richard Bebb will be displaying a rich array of Welsh paintings including artists such as Kyffin Williams.

“Welsh textiles will also be a main feature at the fair. There will be a huge range of welsh tapestry blankets on display with their extensive colour range and intrinsic patterns. “

Amongst the quality stands, will be a selection of militaria stands, displaying some very unusual items from the past including rare medals, military swords and vintage fire arms. From furniture to fishing reels, rare pewter collections to exquisite jewellery, most areas of collecting can be found.

Brita added: “I am sure collectors will find the large quantity of impressive stands, showing off a variety of themes from fine pieces of silver to the retro 60s and country farmhouse, very appealing. There is also gorgeous Victorian linen, vintage clothes, fans and costume jewellery, and an attractive display of nostalgic interior designs; plus fishing reels, and collections of Moorcroft, Wemyss and Lorna Bailey pottery.”

The fair opens at 10am and closes at 4.30pm .

Admission to the Garden and for the Antiques Weekend is just £4 entry is free for Garden members and parking is free for all.

CERED: Menter Iaith Ceredigion hosted a fantastic evening for Llandysul Cubs where the comedian Noel James from ‘Britiain’s got Talent’ came to entertain them.

Rhodri Francis, Cered Development Officer said, “We are very keen to work with organisations like the Cubs in order to hold a series of Welsh language events for their members. The evening with Noel James at Llandysul Cubs was fantastic – everyone enjoyed themselves! We wish to organise more events there in the future. We would like to thank Llandysul Cub leaders for giving us the opportunity to work with them so that their members can have the opportunity to socialise and enjoy activities through the medium of Welsh”.

Alix Bryant,Cub Leader 1st Llandysul Scout Group said, “On behalf of Llandysul Cub Scouts I would like to say a huge thank you to Cered for organising a very entertaining evening for the Cubs. It was great for the children to be entertained bilingually by Noel James, he did an amazing job. I think the children especially enjoyed the impressions!”

“This session has inspired the children to complete their entertainers badge so maybe we will have a few budding Welsh comedians in our group. Thank you again and we look forward to working with Cered in the future”.

For more information about Cered: Menter Iaith Ceredigion events and activities, visit their website, cered.cymru or their Facebook page, @ceredmenteriaith, or get in touch by calling 01545 572 358.

Time given to develop Parc Natur Penglais

VOLUNTEERS, including students, have given around 500 hours of their time to develop Parc Natur Penglais.

Along with support from Ceredigion County Council, the Group have built around 100 steps in 5 different places which has made the park a great place to walk, play and enjoy around a number of safe paths.

Councillor Mark Strong said: “Knowing that we have the support of the local community makes such a difference to peoples’ enthusiasm and having the grant from Aberystwyth Town Council, Cambrian News and Tesco made it possible. Volunteers can make a relatively small sum of money go long way.”

​RSPCA aim for Christmas number one​

M​USIC fans across Wales can help the RSPCA secure the Christmas number one slot, and provide vital support for animals in need across the country.

The animal welfare charity has thrown its hat into the ring to claim the festive chart accolade – as up-and-coming singer Lucy Ellie covers Simply Red’s hit song ​’​Stars​’​ in aid of the RSPCA.

‘Stars’ is the soundtrack to the charity’s ‘Kindness at Christmas’ video, which has already gone viral with over ​two million views online across a variety of platforms.

The tear-jerking video tells the story of Woody the Christmas toy pup who who is thrown out with the rubbish before being rescued and taken in for care by the RSPCA.

Proceeds from the single are being donated to the RSPCA to help in their work rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming thousands of animals every year.

RSPCA Cymru is again bracing itself for a busy festive period. In December 2016 and January 2017 alone, in Wales, 5,932 incidents were reported to the RSPCA – with 141 of these on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Lucy Ellie Cooper, who works at the charity, said: “This was a lovely opportunity for me to combine my two loves – animals and music.

“Outside of my job at the RSPCA I am a country music singer and songwriter, so when the chance came up to record such a fantastic and well-known song for the charity’s Christmas video, I jumped at it. I really hope people will take Woody’s story into their hearts and support the RSPCA this winter.”

You can help the RSPCA rescue, rehabilitate and re-home animals in desperate need of care, and support the charity’s ‘kindness’ campaign online